Realtors’ Perceptions of Social and Physical Neighborhood Characteristics Associated with Active Living: A Canadian Perspective

Realtors match home-seekers with neighborhoods that have built and social characteristics they desire to pursue active lifestyles. Studies have yet to explore realtors’ perspectives on neighborhood design that supports active living. Using qualitative description, our study was to explore the perceptions and understandings of neighborhood design (walkability, healthy, bike-ability, vibrancy, and livability) among urban residential realtors. Nineteen (6 men; 13 women; average age 48 years) self-identified residential realtors from Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge (Canada) completed semi-structured telephone interviews. Content analysis identified themes from the interview data. Specifically, walkability was described as: perceived preferences, destinations and amenities, and connections; a healthy community was described as: encourages outdoor activities, and promotes social homogeneity; bike-ability was described as: bike-ability attributes, and was controversial; vibrancy was described as: community feel, and evidence of life; and livability was described as: subjective, and preferences and necessities. Our findings can inform the refinement of universal definitions and concepts used to in neighborhood urban design.


Realtors' Perceptions of Social and Physical Neighborhood Characteristics
Associated with Active Living. A Canadian Perspective.

QUESTIONS FOR SEMI-STRUCTURED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS
1. Describe what you think the term "walkability" means in relation to neighbourhood design? a. Where have you seen or read "walkability" or "walkable" in housing related promotional or marketing material (e.g., real estate magazines, housing sections of newspapers, television, signs and billboards)?
b. Tell me about a time when you, or someone else in a professional setting, has mentioned the term "walkability" in conversation? Who was the conversation with and what was the nature of that conversation? 2. Describe what you think the term "healthy" means in relation to neighbourhood design?
a. Where have you seen or read "healthy" in housing related promotional or marketing material (e.g., real estate magazines, housing sections of newspapers, television, signs and billboards)?
b. Tell me about a time when you, or someone else in a professional setting, has mentioned the term "healthy" in conversation? Who was the conversation with and what was the nature of that conversation?
c. If you had to describe features or attributes associated with a healthy neighbourhood to a colleague or client, what would you say?
d. If you had to describe features or attributes associated with an unhealthy neighbourhood to a colleague or client, what would you say?
e. What might be some advantages or disadvantages of living in a healthy neighbourhood?
3. Describe what you think the term "cycle or bike-ability" means in relation to neighbourhood design?
a. Where have you seen or read "cycle or bike-ability" in housing related promotional or marketing material (e.g., real estate magazines, housing sections of newspapers, television, signs and billboards)?
b. Tell me about a time when you, or someone else in a professional setting, has mentioned the term "cycle or bikeability" in conversation? Who was the conversation with and what was the nature of that conversation?
c. If you had to describe features or attributes associated with a cycle-or bike-able neighbourhood to a colleague or client, what would you say?
d. If you had to describe features or attributes associated with a low cycle-or bike-able neighbourhood to a colleague or client, what would you say?
e. What might be some advantages and or disadvantages of living in a cycle-or bike-able community?
4. Describe what you think the term "vibrancy" means in relation to neighbourhood or community design?
a. Where have you seen or read "vibrancy" in housing related promotional or marketing material (e.g., real estate magazines, housing sections of newspapers, television, signs and billboards)?
b. Tell me about a time when you, or someone else in a professional setting, has mentioned the term "vibrancy" in conversation? Who was the conversation with and what was the nature of that conversation? e. What might be some advantages or disadvantages of living in a vibrant neighbourhood?

5.
Describe what you think the term "livable or livability" means in relation to neighbourhood design?
a. Where have you seen or read "livable or livability" in housing related promotional or marketing material (e.g., real estate magazines, housing sections of newspapers, television, signs and billboards)?
b. Tell me about a time when you, or someone else in a professional setting, has mentioned the term "livable or livability" in conversation? Who was the conversation with and what was the nature of that conversation?
c. If you had to describe features or attributes associated with a liveable neighbourhood to a colleague or client, what would you say?
d. What might be some advantages or disadvantages of living in a liveable neighbourhood?